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[WATCH] ‘Game of Thrones’ preview of ‘Battle of the Bastards’: Emmy winner for both directing and writing?

“Game of Thrones” has submitted this Sunday’s penultimate episode, “Battle of the Bastards,” for Emmy Awards consideration in both the Drama Directing and Drama Writing fields. (Visit our forums to view the link to the 2016 Emmy ballot.)

Last year, the series took home its first wins in both categories for the Season 5 finale “Mother’s Mercy,” written by series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss and directed by David Nutter. Benioff and Weiss are the writers credited for this year’s submission while Miguel Sapochnik, who was snubbed for helming last year’s standout episode “Hardhome,” is the director. Can the show hold on to its Emmy crown in these two key categories?

Last year marked the first time the show grabbed bids in both categories for the same episode. So, it’s reasonable to assume that “Battle of the Bastards” is the series’ best shot at both nominations and wins for writing and directing. From the trailer (watch above), the episode appears to focus almost entirely on the battle between the armies of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon). There look to be a superb use of effects, cinematography and multiple action set pieces.

For writing, “Game of Thrones” only submitted one episode this year as it has in most years of eligibility. By comparison, the show has entered at least three episodes in the directing field each year. This year, it has submitted five, one for each of the season’s helmers.

“Game of Thrones” is famous for its battle episodes. Season 2’s “Blackwater” and Season 5’s “The Watchers on the Wall” were standout hours. However, the Emmys have yet to reward the writers or directors of such episodes. If “Battle of the Bastards” is destined to become the show’s first battle episode to take home an Emmy it may have stiff competition against its other submissions in the directing field:

“Home” (episode 2) directed by Jeremy PodeswaHighlights include Ramsay murdering Roose and slaughtering Walda and her newborn baby, Tyrion loosening the chains of the dragons and Jon’s resurrection.

“Book of the Stranger” (episode 4) directed by Dan SackheimHighlights include Sansa and Jon’s reunion and Daenerys setting the temple of the Dosh Khaleen on fire, winning over the Dothraki army.

“The Door” (episode 5) directed by Jack BenderHighlights include the Kingsmoot and The Night King’s attack on Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven resulting in Hodor’s sacrifice.

“No One” (episode 8) directed by Mark MylodHighlights include Daenerys returning to Meereen with Drogon and Arya killing the Waif, assuming again with pride the name of Arya Stark.

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